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• Head Teacher's Blog!

  Fri 31 Mar 2017
  Week Ending 31st March 2017
  This week, the following children have received a Head Teacher’s Award:
  Stanley – Year 1 – for amazing independent writing
  Imogen – EYFS – for amazing phonics progress
  WILF will be spending time with class 12 for 100% attendance this week and Jessica will be visiting class 13 for 100%.
  Diary of the week:
  I can hardly believe that we have reached the end of another term. The last six weeks have flown!
  
  On Monday, Mrs Bates and I with Mr Rod Petman (governor) spent the day interviewing for a teacher for September. We had a really good field and were very impressed with the quality of the candidates. We were able to make the necessary appointments and I will write in the summer term to explain what this looks like.
  On Tuesday, year 2 went to Wollaton hall for their school trip. They had a super day, although I am told that the highlight of the day was running down the big hill! It is great to see children going on educational visits and I thank you for your ongoing support with this.
  It was great to see Jenni James in school on Wednesday as she prepares for her return after Easter, it seems like she has never been away. Also on Wednesday, Mrs Bates led a super staff meeting looking at our approach to writing. We have some really exciting ideas about how this can be achieved and the teachers were all ‘buzzing’ at the end of the training.
  The parent-training event on Wednesday was well attended as usual and I really enjoyed my session on parental engagement. Parents said that they learned a lot in the phonics and reading sessions and of course the mastery of maths. Those who took part in the forest school session are keen for this to take part in all year groups! Mrs Bexon spoke to a group of parents about the emotional and social support we put in for some of our children and this was also well received. The bonus of this event was the amount of really good suggestions we received from parents, many of which we will be taking forward. I thank you for that. This theme of sharing good ideas was continued on Thursday, when I met with Year 1 parents to talk about how we can improve transition from early years. We celebrated the things that had worked well and created a list of ‘Even better if’. Mrs Bates is currently putting all suggestions together and then this will be sent out to parents in year 1 and early years.
  
  Finally, today was a super duper day! Starting with Gold Book, which as you know is my favourite time of the week. We had a visitor today Mr John Wilson, who is the vice-chair of the Nottinghamshire Governors Association. He came in to say that we had two winners of the governor writing award competition. There were three placings across Nottinghamshire and two them were in our school. I was like a proud mum standing with Jamie Barrowcliffe who came first and Oliver Howard who secured third place for their amazing 500 word stories. The school was also acknowledged for the work that we do to promote writing for our children with a £25 book token. A great moment for us!
  
  We ended the day with a surprise visitor – the Easter bunny, who came bearing gifts for all of the children. A great end to what has been a super term. Have a smashing holiday. Remember we do not return to school until Tuesday 18th April. I look forward to seeing you all then.

• Football Match Report-29th March 2017

  Thu 30 Mar 2017
  Greasley v Priory - Wednesday 29th March, semi-final of the league cup.
  A really good performance from the team saw Greasley go through to the final of the cup competition by a score of 4-1.
  The first half was even with both sides playing some nice football but Greasley took the lead through Craig Bailey with a lovely goal after beating two defenders and slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.  Priory had two or three good efforts on goal but fine goalkeeping from George Moore prevented them from scoring.
  The second half was all about the performance of the home team, they were a lot sharper to the ball and played some good football. Craig Bailey was causing all sorts of problems for the away side and scored his second goal with a great finish. Further goals from the hard working Jamie Caress and another one from James Hemstock, who was making his first appearance, secured the victory. Priory managed to get a goal back but the game was won.
  All players in the squad got some game time and they can all be very happy with their performance. We look forward to the final which should be played at the end of April early May, details will follow.

• Head Teacher's Blog!

  Fri 24 Mar 2017

  Week Ending 24th March 2017
  This week, the following children have received a Head Teacher’s Award:
  Jack – EYFS – for amazing taking away in Maths.
  Daniel – Year 4 – for his outstanding artwork based on Pablo Picasso.
  Leo – Year 6 – for his impressive ability to complete a 12 sided Rubiks Cube in less than 5 minutes.
  Haydn – Year 1 – for his fantastic attitude and behaviour during his class trip to Nottingham Castle
  Grace – EYFS for amazing art work
  James – Year 4 – for excellent maths
  Scarlet – Year 6 – Super contribution in Maths
  WILF and Jessica will be spending time with classes 9. 10 and 14 for 100% attendance! The best yet – well done.
  Diary of the week:
  A fabulous week in school this week; lots happening and a great sense of excitement about the work being produced, progress being made and opportunities being provided. The buzz of excitement from Year 5 and their writing is hard to miss and I am looking forward to reading their published work ‘Short with a side of scares’. Books will be onsale from school priced at £1, I have already put my order in. Speaking of writing, we have been informed that we have a winner from the ‘writing competition’. I look forward to sharing the exciting news next Friday during Gold Book!
  National poetry day was a focus for the assembly on Tuesday and Mrs Clarke enjoyed reading some ‘mischievous’ poems with the children. The children were engaged, excited and motivated to hear the works of poets. Poetry can be a great way to excite the children into a world of reading and can be a great change to the ‘norm’ of fiction stories.
  Our caterpillars are busy munching away in the corridors and many classes have been to visit. It is really great to see ‘real life’ experiences right outside the office.
  Yesterday, year 1 had a super trip to the castle. It really pleases me that children get the opportunity to go on trips outside of school as it makes has such an impact on their learning. A huge thanks to staff who continue to organise such events and of course to you our parent helpers – trips couldn’t happen without your support.
  Today has been red nose day as we busily raise money to support comic relief. I have to admit that I have struggled to keep my nose on! The children looked great in assembly. This afternoon 2/3 of the school enjoy a movie and ice cream to celebrate superb attendance – a lovely treat for them all.

   

  I hope that you have a great weekend and all of the mothers have some well-earned respite on Sunday.

   

  

• NEWS...Young Writers' National Writing Competition!

  Mon 20 Mar 2017

  Week Commencing Monday 20th March 2017

   

  FANTASTIC NEWS – National writing competition update!

   

  Recently, a number of children entered the Young Writers’ national writing competition ‘Crazy Creatures’. The children were asked to write a 100-word saga about wonderful adventures within a crazy creation; from monster battles and chaos in schools to everything in-between!

  I am delighted to say that the editors of the competition would like to publish a number of the pupils’ mini sagas in the anthology, ‘Crazy Creatures – The Weird & Wonderful!’. Having work published is not only something to be proud of but it will encourage the children to continue to develop their writing talent. One of my main aims through this competition has been to raise the awareness of creative writing within the classroom and promote the enjoyment of reading and writing – in the interest of encouraging pupils and to help them achieve this aim.
  
  A huge well done to the following pupils’, who have had personal letters delivered to school to say that their saga has been selected for publication in the ‘Crazy Creatures – The Weird & Wonderful!’ (which is due to be published on the 31st May 2017):
  
  Year 6
  
  Rhiannon – The Big Adventure
  Nathan – The Hunt!
  Arvie – Batty in Bat Land
  Jayden – The Mystery of Fred Bear!
  Scarlet - Rainbow
  Megan – Smiley Land
  Abbie - The Magical Mix-up
  Morgan – Emoji Land
  Matthew – The Boy Race
  
  Year 5
  
  Emily – Bongie’s Crazy Adventure
  Ruedi – Currently Untitled
  Joshua – Ginjo Vs Batman
  Lucy – Ziglou’s Adventure
  Emily – Oingy’s Crazy Adventure
  Blake – Ramdonio’s Adventure of a Lifetime
  Kadie-Leigh – Crazy Bong
  
  Year 4
  
  Alfie – Currently Untitled
  Ben – Sky Lands
  Lucy – The Vast Desert
  Harrison – Horrible Creatures
  Kayleigh – Frankistein
  Lauren – The Haunted Twins
  James – Defeating Master Eon
  Morgan – Fluffy and the Witch
  
  Year 3
  
  Logan – Crazy Apocolypse
  Leah – Greasley Crazy Creature
  Reagan – The Eating Crazy Creature
  Ella-Ryley – To Save Planet School
  Katherine – The Creature Who Got Crazier Than Before
  
  Parents and Carers,
  
  Young Writers recently got in touch with you regarding your child’s work being published in a special anthology. For your child’s work to be published Young Writers must receive permission from you by 31st March 2017. The easiest way is to use login to your online account using the details provided on your Copyright/Permission form, which was posted to you. For your child’s saga to be published in the anthology, they need to have your consent. As a result of this, could you please return your permission forms by Wednesday 29th March 2017 please. Thank you!
  
  If you have mislaid your Copyright/Permission form or have any queries, please contact Young Writers directly, by giving them a call on 01733 890066 or email info@youngwriters.co.uk  They are open from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
  
  Upon publication, we will receive a complimentary copy of the book with the pupils’ work included and it would be fantastic to see as many pupils included as possible.
  
  I am so proud of the children and can not wait to see the published anthology. We will also find out, following publication, whether or not the school has won the £1000 1st prize, £500 second prize or £250 for third prize as one of the selected ‘best’ schools.
  
  Warm regards and thank you for co-operation,
  
  Michelle Bates (Deputy Head Teacher and English Lead)

• Head Teacher's Blog!

  Fri 17 Mar 2017
  Week Ending 17th March 2017
  
  This week, the following children have received a Head Teacher’s Award:
  Joshua – Year 1 – for fantastic effort with his handwriting.
  Leah – Year 2 – for confident, independent writing.
  Mason – Year 2 – for fantastic effort in his spelling and writing.
  Anya – Year 3 – for incredible work in Maths.
  
  WILF will be spending time with class 9 for 99.3% attendance this week and Jessica will be visiting class 13 for 99.6%
  
  Diary of the week:

  What a super start to spring we have seen this week. Sunny days and children already asking me when they can play on the grass, let us hope that this continues.
  
  I am writing my blog on a Thursday this week as I am once again missing from school tomorrow. I have missed a few gold books this term, which is a real shame, as they really are my favourite time of the week. I do always read their certificates and I always have a smile at their photographs! On the 3rdMarch, Mrs Bates and I were speaking at the NEC, sharing our good practice with other schools across the country. It is great to be able to support children, who we have never even met. Last week I was attending the Head Teacher’s conference with other Nottinghamshire Head Teachers. It was an excellent conference, giving me the opportunity to talk to other heads about what works well in their schools and listening to important changes to expectations and requirements. I have returned to school with some super ideas, which will inform staff meetings in the summer term. This week I am out of school with my ‘Ofsted’ hat on!
  
  Last night we had our school disco and it was totally brilliant! For the first time we split the children into two groups. This meant that the evening started with early years and years 1 and 2 in the hall, being entertained by our resident party host (and site manager) Chris Buck. It was great. After 50 minutes, the older children were in the hall whilst the younger ones were able to access the different activities, including cake decorating, art and crafts, dancing room and chill out room. Dismissing children from their own classrooms at the end of the day made a big difference too! A huge thanks to Mrs Sandra Tantum and the parent helper team. These events simply would not happen without them. Having a great time is an important aspect of our school discos but raising over £700 is a bonus!
  
  Also this week, I have spent time in every class doing my termly observations. I have been focussing on specific groups during my time in the classroom. This has included; watching how the teacher interacts with the different groups, the work set for them, the progress in their books and also speaking to children about their learning. It has been a really positive picture and I feel really proud to lead such a great team of teachers. I have had some magical moments too when asking the children about their learning – they are funny!
  
  I hope you all enjoy a super weekend and I will see you all on Monday.

• Deputy Head Teacher's Blog!

  Fri 10 Mar 2017
  Week Ending 10th March 2017
  
  This week, the following children have received a Head Teacher’s Award:
  
  Gabriel – Year 4 – for using beautifully expanded adverbials and powerful, vivid similes.
  Riley – EYFS – for transforming into a phonics whizz.
  Max – EYFS – for overall amazing effort in Maths.
  Keira – Year 2 – for trying her best and using different sentence starts and adjectives in her writing.
  Jack – Year 2 – for fantastic description and sentence starts in his writing.
  Archie – EYFS – for amazing writing and phonics skills.
  Koby – Year 3 – for brilliant identifying and labelling in Geography
  
  WILF will be spending time with class 12 for 99.2% attendance this week and Jessica will be visiting class 13 for 99%. Class 13 have also been awarded with the golden dustpan and brush this week for the ‘tidiest classroom’ award.
  
  Diary of the week:
  
  Wow…Friday again already! Time really is flying by and I can’t believe that we are now into the second half of the year already; the children really are making progress and we are so proud of their efforts and hard work. The curriculum continues to push children to their limits. However, they are all rising to the challenge and the teachers are working incredibly hard to ‘plug those gaps’ in knowledge and understanding, whilst also extending and challenging those children, who need that little extra push.
  
  I know that Mrs Clarke informed you all last week about the exciting delivery of the chicken eggs, which had all hatched and were chirping away by the end of the week. This week, it has been great to see every class visit the chicks and be able to handle and stroke them. Day by day, they grew so quickly and developed confidence in their wings by the time we waved goodbye to them on Thursday. Once again, this has been a great experience for the children.
  
  Following on from this, a small butterfly habitat will be in the corridor, where the chickens were taking residence, from next week. Again, this is a fantastic opportunity for children to observe over the next few weeks as we can watch the transformation of the caterpillars into butterflies.
  
  Unfortunately, car parking has been brought to my attention again this week. Please be careful when parking around school and try to keep the safety of the children at the forefront of your mind. Parking up onto the pavement is dangerous and children are having to venture into the road to get around the traffic. This is a polite notice…we can’t be out there every morning and evening and therefore we have to listen to the parent voice. Please think about the children.
  
  Over the last term, I have been working with groups of children on their writing skills and comprehension of texts. As a school, we have entered two writing competitions recently and the results are due in next week. I can’t wait to hear if we have any winners; I will keep you posted!
  
  On Wednesday evening, we had a very interesting staff meeting about ‘dialogic learning’. This means learning through effective and co-operative talk and learning to talk with each other in caring, critical, collaborative and creative ways. We hope to be making a whole-school approach to effective talk over the coming months and are excited about the impact that it can have on children’s learning, but also the way in which they communicate throughout their lives in general. We look forward to sharing future plans with you.
  
  A reminder that next Wednesday is the school disco and we very much look forward to opening the doors between 4.30pm to 6pm to all year groups. Ticket sales have been going well and the excitement levels are rising already.
  
  Have a great weekend, take care of yourselves and keep safe.
  
  Warm regards,
  
  Mrs Bates

• Head Teacher's Blog!

  Fri 03 Mar 2017
  Week ending 3rd March 2017
  
  This week, the following children have received a Head Teacher’s Award:
  Morgan – Year 4 – for working extremely hard on his inference skills.
  Charlie – Year 2 – for trying his best in phonics.
  Laviah – Year 2 – for her excellent progress with reading comprehension.
  
  Attendance awards:
  Wilf will be spending time with Class 1 for 100% attendance this week and Jessica will be visiting Class 9 for 100%.
  
  Diary of the week:
  Well, it has been another non-stop week of excitement and learning at Greasley Beauvale!
  
  The week began with a special delivery to school…chicken eggs! The eggs hatched in quick succession, so by Wednesday afternoon the corridor was alive with the sound of chirping chicks and intrigued children keen to have a look at the new arrivals. We have all been enjoying keeping a close eye on them as they have blossomed from wobbling eggs in the incubator, to fluffy chicks in the brooder box. The children and staff team cannot wait until next week when they are big enough to hold.
  
  There was a brilliant turn out on Wednesday evening, with parents and carers attending school to meet with individual class teachers. I hope you enjoyed looking at the wonderful learning the children have been doing in their books, as well as discussing the next steps for your children. Don’t worry if you weren’t able to make parents’ evening, there’s still time to pop in and make an appointment to discuss your child’s progress with their teacher.
  
  World Book Day on Thursday has to be the highlight of the week for most of us. Both children and staff were transformed from their everyday personas into a world of weird and wonderful book characters. Each year group explored the work of a particular author during the day. In the afternoon, it was so lovely to see different year groups of children paired up to read books together and teachers venturing into different year groups to share their love of reading too. Thank you very much to Miss Manson for organising such a wonderful day!
  
  Well done to all of those children who have been working hard this week and making the most of the many extra opportunities on offer within the school day. With an especially big well-done going to each of those children in the Gold Book, it was a real privilege to celebrate your successes with you in assembly.
  
  Enjoy a well-deserved relaxing weekend, maybe with some belated pancake fun, if you didn’t get chance to indulge on Shrove Tuesday.
  
  Mrs Clarke
  Assistant Head Teacher